Prairie State Wire

Minority House floor leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) is calling out Gov. J.B. Pritzker after he signed off on new legislative maps that critics are blasting as gerrymandered to keep Democrats in control.

“As a candidate for office, J.B. Pritzker promised to veto any maps drawn by legislators or politicians,” Durkin said in a video posted to You Tube. “Today, with no fanfare, Gov. Pritzker broke that promise, even though yesterday he told reporters he was undecided and hadn’t reviewed the maps.”

Durkin argues one thing should be clear to voters.

“Gov. Pritzker, you sold out,” he said. “You sold out Republicans; you sold out Democrats to the partisan Democratic machine that has destroyed Illinois. Governor, you not only sold out, you lied.”

Durkin is far from alone in blasting the governor over his actions. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski recently appeared on an episode of Chicago's Morning Answer to blast Pritzker for reneging on his word.

"He made that promise a while back but I think he's missing in action on that," Dabrowski said. "I wouldn't expect any change there."

Durkin said he thinks Pritzker will be forced to pay a price for going back on his word.

“When you’re governor, your word means something,” he said. “Gov. Pritzker repeatedly stated he supports an independent commission, then why Governor did you sign these maps?”

Durkin argues Democrats went above and beyond in making sure their plan never saw the light of day. 

“To draw these maps, Democrats blocked reforms that would have insured a democratic commission,” he said. “Speaker (Mike) Madigan and Speaker (Chris) Welch cut backroom deals behind locked doors to pick their voters, entirely circumventing the democratic process.”

“This is a bad idea and this is a bad map,” Durkin added. “Governor, you lied. Countless advocacy groups feel the same way. By signing this bill you turned your back on millions of Illinoisans who are desperately seeking honesty in government.”